R-2 Zoning in Victoria - Two Family Dwelling District
Tracked amendment December 7, 2023: Victoria removes several barriers in its Missing Middle rules. Zoning Regulation Bylaw Amendment No. 23-099. See Victoria zoning changes
R-2: Two Family Dwelling District is a residential zoning district in the City of Victoria. Single family or two family residential use.
On a typical R-2-zoned lot you can expect up to 2 dwelling units, an FSR of about 0.5, a hard cap of 380 m² of floor area however large the lot, a maximum height of 7.6 m (2 storeys), and site coverage up to 40%. Exact figures vary with lot size, frontage, and form of development, so look up your specific address to confirm.
Intent of the R-2 district
Single family or two family residential use.
R-2 at a glance
| Max dwelling units | 2 |
|---|---|
| Floor space ratio (FSR) | 0.5 |
| Max height | 7.6 m |
| Max storeys (by right) | 2 |
| Site coverage | 40% |
| Zone category | Residential |
Density tiers in R-2
| Tier | Min lot area | Max units | Base FSR | Bonus FSR | Max height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Family Dwelling District | 555 m² | 2 | 0.5 | - | 7.6 m |
Permitted uses in R-2
- Two Family Dwelling
- Single Family Dwelling
- Secondary Suite
- Garden Suite
R-2 zoning FAQ
What is R-2 zoning in Victoria?
R-2 (Two Family Dwelling District) is a residential zoning district in the City of Victoria. Single family or two family residential use.
What can you build on R-2-zoned land in Victoria?
Permitted uses in R-2 include Two Family Dwelling, Single Family Dwelling, Secondary Suite, Garden Suite. Permitted uses are allowed outright; conditional uses may require Development Permit Board approval.
What is the FSR for R-2 in Victoria?
Floor Space Ratio (FSR) in R-2 is about 0.5. The ratio is not the whole rule here: floor area is no more than 380 m², so on many lots the absolute figure governs rather than the ratio. ZoneScout calculates the maximum buildable floor area for your specific lot.
How tall can a building be in R-2?
R-2 permits a maximum building height of 7.6 m, generally about 2 storeys. Height can be affected by view corridors, setbacks, and the specific form of development.
How many units are allowed in R-2 zoning?
R-2 allows up to 2 dwelling units on an eligible lot. Under the Province's Bill 44 Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing rules, most standard residential lots in Victoria now permit multiple units outright. The exact number depends on lot size and whether rental tenure is secured.
Other residential zones in Victoria
- GRD-1 - General Residential District 1
- GRD-1 (PGA) - General Residential District 1 Priority Growth Area
- R-K - Medium Density Attached Dwelling District
- R1-A - Rockland Single Family Dwelling District
- R1-B - Single Family Dwelling District
- R1-G - Gonzales Single Family Dwelling District
- R3-1 - Multiple Dwelling District
- R3-2 - Multiple Dwelling District
Look up a specific address in Victoria
Source: official Victoria zoning bylaw (PDF) · updated October 2026